shoulder as she sneered,
“Well, you’re going to.” And taking her hand off Nicole’s shoulder, she let the bitter, jeering words drop into the silence
that had sprung up between them. “Tessa Von Hoffman is Valentin’s mistress!”
Nicole bit her lower lip to keep it from quivering and stared determinedly up into Cecily’s gloating face.
“Does it really shock you, my dear? You’ve grown quite pale. I don’t see why it should. After all, you and the Viscount are
hardly a love match. It’s only a marriage of convenience,” Cecily taunted viciously.
Stung beyond endurance, Nicole retorted through bloodless lips, “That’s right. That’s all it is.” She continued to meet Cecily’s
malicious glare steadily.
Still trying to inflict pain, Cecily cried, “Then you surely don’t expect him to remain faithful to you?”
Nicole refused to respond to any further venomous taunts. Already tormented by jealousy, she would never let Cecily know how
hurt she was.
Her moment of triumph rapidly fading, Cecily withdrew to the window and stared moodily outside. Baiting Nicole was rather
useless. Impossible to believe, but Nicole seemed to care nothing for Valentin. It was she, Cecily Fairfax, who agonized over
his affairs. How she hated Nicole and her apparent indifference!
The muffled rattle of wheels and horses’ hooves brought Cecily out of her reflections. “She’s leaving. Aunt Eleanore certainly
made short work of her.”
Nicole’s wilting body snapped to attention as the Viscountess entered the room. She had never seen the lady look so haggard.
The usually taut facial muscles sagged, revealing the tell-tale lines of age about her mouth and eyes. What had taken place
between her and Tessa Von Hoffman? Nicole felt a surprising rush of pity for the older woman. Yet she waited in strained silence
for her to speak. However, even after seating herself before the fire, Lady Eleanore did not satisfy their curiosity.
But Cecily could bear it no longer and blurted out, “What did she want?”
“Be still!” Lady Eleanore’s voice cracked with exasperation.
“Aunt, everyone knows about Valentin and the merry widow.”
“Cecily!”
Lady Eleanore hissed and turned an anxious glance to Nicole.
Having recovered her composure by this time, Nicole commented quietly, “You need not fear my reaction. I am well aware of
the circumstances surrounding this marriage.”
Flustered only momentarily, the Viscountess replied, “Yes, well, it is a wise woman who does not plague a man for his past
indiscretions. I am certain that the Viscount knows nothing about this… intrusion. It was a most unfortunate incident. Nevertheless,
it is the future that must concern you. Once you are married to Ardsmore I’m sure you and he will handle the matter to everyone’s
satisfaction.” The lady sighed wearily.
Never would Nicole accept with resignation another woman in Valentin’s life. Even if he were discreet, and it was accepted
behavior by the
beau monde.
But she held her tongue, too disturbed by the knowledge of Tessa Von Hoffman to argue.
A rap on the door brought all three women to attention.However, they all relaxed at the sight of Madame Lafitte.
“Excuse me,” she said softly. “It grows late and I was wondering whether I was needed any more this evening.” She looked anxiously
at Nicole.
“We were just about to retire, madame. Perhaps Nicole wishes something.” Lady Eleanore was once more in command of herself
and the situation.
Cecily’s voice called across the room. “But you haven’t told us why that woman had the nerve to come here!”
Lady Eleanore hesitated before answering Cecily’s in sistent demand. “It… has all been taken care of.”
“You had best tell us, Lady Eleanore, for none of us shall be able to rest until you do,” Nicole demanded in turn.
The Viscountess paused and looked agitated once more. “Oh, very well, my son… Valentin, at this
“Well, you’re going to.” And taking her hand off Nicole’s shoulder, she let the bitter, jeering words drop into the silence
that had sprung up between them. “Tessa Von Hoffman is Valentin’s mistress!”
Nicole bit her lower lip to keep it from quivering and stared determinedly up into Cecily’s gloating face.
“Does it really shock you, my dear? You’ve grown quite pale. I don’t see why it should. After all, you and the Viscount are
hardly a love match. It’s only a marriage of convenience,” Cecily taunted viciously.
Stung beyond endurance, Nicole retorted through bloodless lips, “That’s right. That’s all it is.” She continued to meet Cecily’s
malicious glare steadily.
Still trying to inflict pain, Cecily cried, “Then you surely don’t expect him to remain faithful to you?”
Nicole refused to respond to any further venomous taunts. Already tormented by jealousy, she would never let Cecily know how
hurt she was.
Her moment of triumph rapidly fading, Cecily withdrew to the window and stared moodily outside. Baiting Nicole was rather
useless. Impossible to believe, but Nicole seemed to care nothing for Valentin. It was she, Cecily Fairfax, who agonized over
his affairs. How she hated Nicole and her apparent indifference!
The muffled rattle of wheels and horses’ hooves brought Cecily out of her reflections. “She’s leaving. Aunt Eleanore certainly
made short work of her.”
Nicole’s wilting body snapped to attention as the Viscountess entered the room. She had never seen the lady look so haggard.
The usually taut facial muscles sagged, revealing the tell-tale lines of age about her mouth and eyes. What had taken place
between her and Tessa Von Hoffman? Nicole felt a surprising rush of pity for the older woman. Yet she waited in strained silence
for her to speak. However, even after seating herself before the fire, Lady Eleanore did not satisfy their curiosity.
But Cecily could bear it no longer and blurted out, “What did she want?”
“Be still!” Lady Eleanore’s voice cracked with exasperation.
“Aunt, everyone knows about Valentin and the merry widow.”
“Cecily!”
Lady Eleanore hissed and turned an anxious glance to Nicole.
Having recovered her composure by this time, Nicole commented quietly, “You need not fear my reaction. I am well aware of
the circumstances surrounding this marriage.”
Flustered only momentarily, the Viscountess replied, “Yes, well, it is a wise woman who does not plague a man for his past
indiscretions. I am certain that the Viscount knows nothing about this… intrusion. It was a most unfortunate incident. Nevertheless,
it is the future that must concern you. Once you are married to Ardsmore I’m sure you and he will handle the matter to everyone’s
satisfaction.” The lady sighed wearily.
Never would Nicole accept with resignation another woman in Valentin’s life. Even if he were discreet, and it was accepted
behavior by the
beau monde.
But she held her tongue, too disturbed by the knowledge of Tessa Von Hoffman to argue.
A rap on the door brought all three women to attention.However, they all relaxed at the sight of Madame Lafitte.
“Excuse me,” she said softly. “It grows late and I was wondering whether I was needed any more this evening.” She looked anxiously
at Nicole.
“We were just about to retire, madame. Perhaps Nicole wishes something.” Lady Eleanore was once more in command of herself
and the situation.
Cecily’s voice called across the room. “But you haven’t told us why that woman had the nerve to come here!”
Lady Eleanore hesitated before answering Cecily’s in sistent demand. “It… has all been taken care of.”
“You had best tell us, Lady Eleanore, for none of us shall be able to rest until you do,” Nicole demanded in turn.
The Viscountess paused and looked agitated once more. “Oh, very well, my son… Valentin, at this
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